It’s what’s called a triumph. Only team with 0 faults after the first round contested on Thursday evening, the Paris Panthers, a duo composed of Ireland’s Darragh Kenny and Egypt’s Nayel Nassar confirmed their supremacy. Drawn last to jump, the pair started with a lead of twelve faults. Despite this comfortable margin, Nassar (riding Igor van de Wittemoere) and Kenny (with Idalville d’Esprit), again jumped two faultless rounds. Just perfect. “It’s fantastic, rejoiced the team manager Rob Hoekstra. With our lead the instructions were to clear the jumps without worrying too much about the time. The lads applied the plan perfectly and the horses were fantastic.” “Over a course like this, you need horses with a lot of power, continued Nayel Nassar. This convincing win has proved they’ve got it.”
Behind the untouchable Paris Panthers, the Monaco Aces have kept their second place thanks to a clear round by Jos Verlooy (Jacobien Dwerse Hagen) and despite the 8 faults of Julien Epaillard (Billabong du Roumois). The podium was completed by the St Tropez Pirates (Michael Pender, Pieter Devos), winners the previous week at Paris, under the Eiffel Tower (with Olivier Robert and Dani G. Waldman).
In the overall Global Champions League standings, the Valkenswaard United, after a difficult first round on Thursday, but a more advantageous second one Saturday (a clear by Alberto Zorzi and 4 faults by Edwina Tops-Alexander) have kept their lead after 7 of the 15 legs that make up the circuit.
Individually, France’s Olivier Perreau gave a masterly performance with his Selle Français mare, GL Events Venizia d’Aiguilly, asserting himself by 24 hundredths of a second over Holland’s Johnny Pals (Fernando) and by nearly a second over Spain’s Sergio Alavrez Moya (Alamo).
CSI2* : THE GOCHMAN CLAN ON TARGET
The Gochman family will probably have long lasting memories of this Saturday at Monaco. In the CSI 2* (1.45m) Grand Prix, 16 year-old Mimi Gochman, junior North American champion in 2019, offered herself two places on the podium. Following a six horse jump-off, she made her presence felt with Celina BH and also climbed onto the third step with Gigi’s Girl BH. Riding Cornwall BH, the manager of the Gochman stables, Great Britain’s Amanda Derbyshire, slipped into second position. “This win is really good for me, rejoiced the winner. We were totally in harmony with each other and I straight away felt that we could win this class. I’ve been riding Celina BH for three years now so we know each other well. Even if I sometimes go to legs of the Longines Global Champions Tour they remain special to me. They are extraordinary shows ! »
Representing Monaco, 15 year-old Anastasia Nielsen finished in 4th place with Giro de la Luna.
Over a 1.30m track, it was the turn of the North American young rider champion 2019, Sophie Gochman, who won convincingly riding Carola BH. With 10 in the jump-off and a nearly three second lead, the rider dominated totally leaving Monaco’s Salomé Panizzi, in second place on Ulakhani Villa Rose, and in front of the Czech Anna Marie Vitek on Chacco’s Amke. A little earlier in the day Vitek had already won the 1.15m on Mama Mia Picobello Z, in a class that saw 10 through to the jump-off. The 14 year-old finished in front of her big sister, 15 year-old Kristina (Kamirez van Orchid’s). Winner of two classes at the show, Great Britain’s Isabella Beecroft-Luckett (Vanda Cartier) took third place.
NATIONAL : TIFFANY MIGUERES WAY OUT IN FRONT
Open only to riders from Monaco, the Prix Fédération Équestre de la Principauté de Monaco/Cavalleria Toscana confirmed Friday’s results. Over jumps standing at 1.05m, Tiffany Migueres again asserted herself with Silvery d’Aubain by finishing 5 seconds in front of Marine Allavena (Erakis des Forestiers) and Freyas Banks Clark (Dajesca). Opening the day, Margaux de Coninck proved to be the fastest in the 0.70m with Free Stayerhof’s VIP ahead of Allegra Banks Clark (Lola) and Adriana Ladow (Lola).
